China Urges France to Halt Anti-Ultra-Fast Fashion Law Over WTO Concerns

China's Ministry of Commerce has called on France to immediately halt the implementation of its anti-ultra-fast fashion legislation, alleging that the rules apply double standards and suspect violations of World Trade Organization non-discrimination principles under the banner of environmental protection. Speaking at a regular press conference in Beijing, ministry spokesperson Huang Ling stated that China seeks equal dialogue to resolve differences in sustainable textile trade, while warning that Beijing will take necessary measures to defend the rights of Chinese enterprises if France proceeds unilaterally.

The dispute marks an escalation of trade tensions between China and Europe into the fast-growing cross-border e-commerce and apparel sectors. By framing the French regulation as a discriminatory trade barrier rather than a legitimate environmental measure, Beijing is signaling its readiness to challenge Western green standards that disproportionately penalize low-cost, high-turnover Chinese manufacturing and retail models under international trade law.

China has urged France to immediately cease the implementation of its anti-ultra-fast fashion legislation, warning that the measures risk violating international trade rules and threatening countermeasures to protect Chinese businesses, according to statements made by the Ministry of Commerce. Speaking at a regular briefing in Beijing on Thursday, Ministry of Commerce spokesperson Huang Ling stated that the French legislation uses environmental protection and sustainability criteria as a pretext while applying double standards, according to a Xinhua report carried by People's Daily. Huang stated that the French rules are suspected of violating the non-discrimination principles established by the World Trade Organization. Huang urged Paris to suspend enforcement and resolve disagreements over sustainable textile trade through equal dialogue, stressing the need for a fair and non-discriminatory market environment for Chinese enterprises operating abroad. Huang added that if the French side continues unilaterally, China will take necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese firms, with France bearing all resulting consequences. The warning comes as Chinese cross-border e-commerce operators and low-cost apparel exporters face tightening regulatory scrutiny across European markets. French lawmakers have targeted high-volume, low-cost apparel supply chains, citing the environmental footprint of rapid product turnarounds, synthetic materials, and extensive air freight logistics. Beijing has consistently argued against unilateral regulatory mechanisms that it contends unfairly target Chinese commercial practices under the guise of ecological standards. The commerce ministry's explicit invocation of WTO non-discrimination provisions suggests that China may be preparing formal multilateral legal challenges if bilateral discussions fail to materialize.